Iranian café chain chief sentenced to over 12 years and loses assets for protest support

Sadegh Saeedinia, who runs the Saeedinia café chain, was sentenced to more than 12 years in prison and ordered to forfeit all his property after a court convicted him of propaganda against national security, among other offenses. The charges stem from his Instagram posts about the January protests, his encouragement of strikes, the temporary closure of his cafés, and his alleged coordination with hostile groups. The ruling also includes a two-year ban on employment in the café industry after his release.

Authorities described him as an instigator of protests in Qom and linked him to property damage, though no public evidence of direct involvement was presented. This judgment follows prior judicial measures against his father, Mohammad Saeedinia, whose restaurants were closed and whose assets were seized, prompting a public apology that some observers say was made under pressure. The case reflects a broader pattern of asset confiscation used by Iranian authorities against dissenters.